Latest news with #Earth-directed
India Today
03-06-2025
- Science
- India Today
Dazzling auroras seen worldwide after solar blast from the Sun. Pictures inside
A series of dazzling auroras were observed in several parts of the world including the United States and Canada as a solar storm struck Earth's magnetic strongest eruption from the Sun in 2025 struck Earth with exponential power as Earth's atmosphere continues to reverberate from the impact, which has been termed a halo Coronal Mass Ejection (CME), has been significant even as the storm subsides. The storm has continued with few breaks for more than 60 hours. (Photo: X/@@BsauceSays) advertisement A halo CME is an eruption of solar plasma and magnetic field that appears to form a halo around the Sun when it is moving directly along the line of sight—either toward or away from Earth. If it's Earth-directed, it can have serious effects on technology and physicists confirmed that the storm had continued with few breaks for more than 60 hours, pointing to the power and effectiveness of the CME that might go down as the strongest event of the ongoing Solar Cycle source of this solar eruption is Sunspot 4100, which erupted in a dramatic fashion on May 31. Aurora Borealis seen over Washington State. (Photo: X/@PNWAurora) advertisementEarth-orbiting satellites detected an M8.2-class solar flare that lasted more than three hours, an unusually long and powerful event. While technically just shy of the X-class threshold, the flare's slow, sustained energy release provided ample force to launch a massive CME from the Sun's northern lights were also seen in San Diego and some residents in Tulsa, reported catching glimpses of the aurora. Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere, pink and red auroras were spotted lighting up the skies over Queenstown in of High River 20250603T0600ZJust arrived as the aurora fired up Harlan Thomas (@theauroraguy) June 3, 2025Before the storm hit, experts had predicted that the auroras might be visible across a wide swath of the northern United States, including Alaska, Washington, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, along with most of Wyoming, Idaho, Iowa and New also suggested potential sightings in parts of Oregon, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Watch
India Today
02-06-2025
- Science
- India Today
Solar storm calming after hammering Earth's magnetic field overnight
The mega solar storm that struck Earth is subsiding and the radiation is calming down after battering the planet's magnetic field halo Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) struck Earth on the intervening nights of June 1 and June 2, 2025 sparking a severe (G4) geomagnetic storm.A halo CME is an eruption of solar plasma and magnetic field that appears to form a halo around the Sun when it is moving directly along the line of sight—either toward or away from Earth. If it's Earth-directed, it can have serious effects on technology and Experts have already dubbed it one of the biggest space weather events of Solar Cycle 25."There are indications that the coronal mass ejection (CME) passage is weakening, but the solar wind conditions remain elevated, therefore additional periods of G3-G4 (Strong-Severe) levels remain possible. However, we now anticipate that conditions should weaken enough by tomorrow evening, June 2nd (EDT), that G1 (Minor) storm levels are the most likely peak response," the Space Weather Prediction Center under National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) source of this solar eruption is Sunspot 4100, which erupted in dramatic fashion on May satellites detected an M8.2-class solar flare that lasted more than three hours, an unusually long and powerful event. While technically just shy of the X-class threshold, the flare's slow, sustained energy release provided ample force to launch a massive CME from the Sun's geomagnetic storm has triggered auroras in several parts of the world."Auroras occur when charged particles from the Sun collide with Earth's magnetic field. These particles are usually directed toward the north and south poles, but during more intense solar events—like the one expected soon—the auroras can extend much farther from the poles, becoming visible in regions closer to the equator."Experts are also hopeful that the auroras could be visible in parts of Ladakh, Watch
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
The northern lights may be visible in Mass. Sunday night
The northern lights may be visible in Massachusetts Sunday night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA's aurora borealis predictor puts much of the Bay State below the view line for the natural light show Sunday night, which indicates the southern-most location from which the northern lights may be seen in the northern part of the sky. The aurora borealis may be visible in Massachusetts Sunday night because active geomagnetic conditions may push auroras farther south than usual, according to 'Space weather forecasters are forecasting strong (G3) geomagnetic storm conditions with the possibility of severe (G4) conditions thanks to both elevated solar winds and an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME),' the astronomy news website reported Saturday. The skies over Massachusetts are predicted to be mostly clear Sunday night, according to the National Weather Service. recommends 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. as the best window for viewing the northern lights. 'But remember, auroras are fickle — sometimes they appear much farther south than predicted, and other times they barely show up at all. Many conditions have to align for the perfect display," the astronomy news website reported. Mass. weather: Temperatures to heat up the first week of June Update: Flood advisory affecting Berkshire County until Saturday evening due to substantial downpours Update: Rip current statement issued for Dukes and Nantucket counties until Sunday evening Wind advisory affecting 5 Massachusetts counties until Saturday night – gusts up to 50 mph Street flooding possible in Mass. Saturday due to widespread showers, thunderstorms Read the original article on MassLive.
News18
01-06-2025
- Science
- News18
Powerful Solar Flare Sparks Geomagnetic Storms, Auroras Likely In Southern Skies
Positioned near the centre of the Earth-facing solar disc, this flare was accompanied by a major, asymmetrical full halo coronal mass ejection (CME). Earth was hit by a powerful geomagnetic storm on Sunday, June 1, with a speed of upwards of 1000 km/sec later. According to Space Weather Live, sunspot region 4100 produced a beautiful, long-duration M8.2-class solar flare, which peaked at 05:35 IST today (00:05 UTC). Located near the center of the Earth-facing solar disk, this flare is particularly significant. The eruption is associated with a Type II radio emission, indicating a coronal mass ejection (CME) was launched and current coronagraph imagery suggests it likely has an Earth-directed component. Positioned near the centre of the Earth-facing solar disc, this flare was accompanied by a major, asymmetrical full halo coronal mass ejection (CME), clearly visible in SOHO/LASCO imagery. This CME is all but certain to have an Earth-directed component, setting the stage for possible space weather impacts, including auroras, radio disturbances, and power grid fluctuations in higher latitudes. According to Space Weather Live, a minor G1-class geomagnetic storm was observed today, 1 June 2025, as the Kp index reached Level 5 — the threshold for a G1 storm — at 09:24 UTC, which is 14:54 IST. advetisement There is a slight possibility of auroral activity becoming visible in mid-latitude regions of the Southern Hemisphere, particularly around Hobart, Australia, and Invercargill, New Zealand, reported Space Live Weather. This potential is driven by highly active solar wind conditions, with the solar wind speed currently measured at an exceptionally high 1,023 km/sec. Additionally, the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) strength is elevated at 25.55 nT. However, the IMF is currently pointing northward (6.11 nT), which typically reduces the chance of strong geomagnetic activity since a southward IMF is more favourable for coupling with Earth's magnetic field. While auroral visibility remains limited for now, even a brief southward shift in the IMF could quickly increase activity, making it worth monitoring if you're located in or near these regions. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 01, 2025, 16:08 IST
India Today
14-05-2025
- Science
- India Today
Sun just unleashed a 10,00,000-km-long mega eruption. Will Earth be hit?
In what could only be described as a fiery burp, the Sun unleashed a mega explosion from its northern hemisphere hurtling millions of tons of solar material into solar filament caught by aurora chaser Vincent Ledvina, stretches over a million kilometres in length as it begins its journey away from the Sun.A solar filament is a large, elongated structure of cool, dense plasma suspended above the Sun's surface by magnetic fields. Despite being cooler than the surrounding solar atmosphere (the corona), it still emits light but appears dark when viewed against the bright background of the Sun. advertisement Solar filaments form along areas where the Sun's magnetic field is particularly the video on X, Vincent Ledvina wrote "Not sure what to call this eruption, maybe the "bird-wing" or "angel-wing" event? Either way, it is truly something to witness!"After weeks of relative quiet, the Sun has sprung back to life, unleashing two powerful solar flares from opposite first, an X1.2-class flare, erupted with force, causing a brief shortwave radio blackout over the Americas and launching a coronal mass ejection (CME) into space. According to NASA models, the CME is expected to strike Mercury, graze Venus, and miss Earth entirely later this a spectacular CME from the huge filament eruption earlier today! Unfortunately it is directed north and will miss us. A direct hit from a CME like this can be high-end G4 storm material, maybe even G5. Jure Atanackov (@JAtanackov) May 13, 2025advertisementThe second flare, rated M5.3, triggered a longer radio blackout across Southeast Asia and likely released a CME as well. If confirmed, this one may contain an Earth-directed component, but scientists await updated imagery from SOHO coronagraphs to verify its explosion comes over a year after the most severe geomagnetic storm in two decades struck Earth and triggered cascading effects on Earth's thermosphere, Earth's upper atmospheric layer was heated to a record 1,150C from the storm, causing it to expand and loft heavy nitrogen particles storm generated the largest electrical currents in Earth's magnetosphere in 20 years, which were observed by Nasa's MMS and THEMIS-ARTEMIS missions.
